Kalanchoe plant named Ridge

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe named Ridge is provided. This new cultivar is characterized by its bright yellow flowers, dark green foliage, compact growth habit and excellent basal branching.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct Kalanchoeplant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Ridge.

[0002] The new cultivar was developed by the inventor through acontrolled breeding program during August 1996 in The Netherlands. Thefemale (seed) parent of Ridge was the proprietary Kalanchoe cultivardesignated 95114-2, characterized by its yellow flowers and dark greenfoliage. The male (pollen) parent of Ridge was the proprietary Kalanchoecultivar designated 94036, characterized by its yellow flowers, darkgreen foliage and good branching habit. Ridge was discovered andselected as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross bythe inventor in June 1997.

[0003] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings hasdemonstrated that the characteristics of the new cultivar as hereindescribed are firmly fixed and retained through successive generationsof such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It was found that the cultivar of the present invention:

[0005] (a) exhibits bright yellow flowers,

[0006] (b) forms dark green foliage,

[0007] (c) exhibits a good basal branching character and

[0008] (d) exhibits a compact upright growth habit.

[0009] The new cultivar of the present invention can be compared toGoldstrike (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,632). In side by side comparisons withGoldstrike, it is found that the new cultivar is more compact, has fewerbranches and exhibits flowers of a lighter yellow color. A detailedcomparison can be found in Table A.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

[0010] The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of thistype, typical flower and foliage characteristics of the new cultivar.The plants were grown in a greenhouse at West Chicago, Ill., U.S.A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The Ridge cultivar has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in the environment, such astemperature, light intensity, and day length.

[0012] The chart used in the identification of colors described hereinis the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England. The color values were determined on Jan. 4, 2001 between 9:00and 9:30 am under natural daylight. The plants used for the followingobservations and measurements were produced from cuttings taken fromstock plants and grown in West Chicago, Ill. in 10 cm pots for 16 weeks.Plants were grown in a double poly carbonate covered greenhouse underconditions comparable to those used in commercial practice whileutilizing a soilless growth medium and maintaining temperatures ofapproximately 82° F. during the day and approximately 66° F. during thenight. Plants were exposed to three weeks of long days followed by 9weeks of short days. Growth regulators were applied as follows: B nine,3000 ppm at days 17 and 28 and 1500 ppm day 42.

[0013] Classification:

[0014]Botanical.—Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, cultivar Ridge.

[0015] Parentage: Proprietary seedling 95114-2 (seed)×Proprietaryseedling 94036 (pollen).

[0016] Propagation:

[0017]Type cutting.—Terminal tip.

[0018]Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 7-14 days with the shortertimes generally being experienced in the summer and the longer times inthe winter.

[0019]Time to develop roots.—Approximately 21 days.

[0020]Root description.—Fibrous, branching.

[0021] Plant Description:

[0022]Habit of growth.—Moderately vigorous with good basal branching. Amature plant, at 16 weeks after the planting of an unrooted cutting,commonly measures approximately 18.7 cm in height and approximately 15.3cm in width.

[0023]Branching habit.—Typically forms one main stem 13 cm in length and1 cm in diameter and 3 to 5 lateral branches approximately 11 cm inlength and 7 mm in diameter.

[0024]Plant form.—Upright and mounded.

[0025]Foliage.—Simple, opposite. Shape: Ovate, rounded apex, roundedbase, crenate margin.

[0026]Texture.—Glabrous, succulent. Size of mature foliage:Approximately 9 cm in length and approximately 7 cm in width. Color ofmature foliage: Upper surface closest to 139A; lower surface closest to137B. Petiole length: Approximately 2 cm, color is 144A.

[0027] Flower Description:

[0028]Flowering habit.—Freely flowering.

[0029]Natural flowering season.—Early January. Flowering time isdependent on temperature, light intensity and other growing conditions.

[0030]Inflorescence type.—Dichasial cymes.

[0031]Flowers borne.—Above foliage.

[0032]Flower longevity.—Approximately 7 days.

[0033]Fragrance.—None.

[0034]Quantity of flowers.—Approximately 87 flowers on main stem and 29flowers on each lateral branch.

[0035]Flower buds.—Shape: Elliptical, becoming elongated as it matures.Size just before opening:

[0036]Length is approximately 1.5 cm, width is approximately 3 mm.Color: 1 3D.

[0037]Flower.—Slaverform corolla. Approximately 1.6 cm in diameter, 3 mmin depth. Corolla tube is 9 mm long.

[0038]Petals.—Number: Four. Shape: Ovate with cuspidate apex, roundedbase. Approximate size: 7 mm in length, 6 mm in width. Aspect: Slightlyconvex. Texture: Glabrous and somewhat iridescent.

[0039]Sepals.—Number: 4. Shape: Lanceolate with acuminate apex, entiremargin. Size: 7 mm in length. Texture: Smooth. Color: Upper and lowersurface: 144B.

[0040]Mature flower color.—Upper surface of petals is closest to 13Bfading to 21 B at senescence; lower surface of petals is closest to 13D.

[0041]Peduncle.—Length: Approximately 2 cm in length and 4 mm indiameter.

[0042]Pedicel length.—Approximately 5 mm.

[0043]Reproductive organs.—Androecium: 8 stamens arranged in two groupsof four—one group being shorter than the other. Anther shape is oblongand flat, length is approximately 0.5 mm. Pollen color is 6C. Gynoecium:Stigma shape is flat, appearance is crystalline, colorless andtransparent. Style length is approximately 2 mm, color is 151C. Ovary is4 celled, 7mm in length. Color is 144A.

[0044] Seed development: Seed production has not been observed.

[0045] Disease resistance: Resistance to pathogens has not beenobserved.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe named Ridgesubstantially as herein shown and described, which: (a) exhibits brightyellow flowers, (b) forms dark green foliage, (c) exhibits a good basalbranching character and (d) exhibits a compact upright growth habit.TABLE A CHARACTERISTIC RIDGE GOLDSTRIKE PLANT HEIGHT 18.7 CM  23 CMNUMBER OF BRANCHES  3  6 FLOWER DIAMETER  7.2 CM 6.8 CM PETALCOLOR-FULLY OPENED-   13 B  15 A UPPER SURFACE PETAL COLOR-FULLY OPENED-  13 D  16 C LOWER SURFACE PETAL COLOR FADING TO   21 B  16 B